Mattis Praises Macedonia as ‘Stabilizing Force’

By Jim Garamone, DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary James N. Mattis praised Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev today, saying the country is a “stabilizing force” in the Balkans.

Mattis made a lightning visit to Skopje and met with Zaev, President Gjorge Ivanov and Defense Minister Radmila Shekerinska. It was the secretary’s first visit to the country.

Mattis arrived as the nation prepares for a vote on whether to change its formal name from the Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of North Macedonia. The name change is a result of negotiations with neighboring Greece that both prime ministers signed in June in Prespa, Macedonia. Greece has blocked Macedonia from joining NATO and the European Union under its current name, which is also the name of a northern Greek province.

The vote will clear the way for the country to join NATO, a move Russia strongly opposes.

“The Prespa Agreement, alongside key reforms you are implementing under your strategic defense review, unlocks your NATO accession process and allows you, our Macedonian friends, to determine your own future in institutions made up of like-minded countries,” Mattis told the prime minister.

The secretary said that in joining NATO, the country would “gain an equal seat at the table of the most successful military alliance in history, alongside 29 other countries committed to protect you and your security, spurring economic prosperity and increased foreign investment, as well as strengthened security.”

The secretary thanked Zaev for Macedonia’s contributions to stability and security. “Your country has proven a reliable security partner and a valued contributor to global peace and security, serving as a leader in regional security initiatives, like the U.S.-Adriatic Charter and the Balkan Medical Task Force, and participating in European Union peacekeeping, United Nations and NATO operations around the world,” Mattis said at a meeting with the prime minister.

The secretary specifically thanked Zaev for Macedonia’s troop contribution to NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. The Macedonian military has about 50 service members in Afghanistan.

“We also appreciate your offer to host U.S. forces at the Krivolak training area in your country,” the secretary said. “The close cooperation between our countries is also growing to reflect modern challenges, as we plan to expand our cybersecurity cooperation to thwart malicious cyber activity that threatens both our democracies.”

Mattis praised Zaev for his negotiations with the Greeks. “The United States recognizes this agreement took hard work and patient diplomacy on both sides, compromises on both sides,” Mattis said. “Compromise is always hard.”